Tara has a thousand good reasons not to return to the little coastal town of Lucky Harbor, Washington. Yet with her life doing a major crash-and-burn, anywhere away from her unfulfilled dreams and sexy ex-husband will do. As Tara helps her two sisters get their newly renovated inn up and running, she finally has a chance to get things under control and come up with a new plan for her life.

But a certain tanned, green-eyed sailor has his own ideas, such as keeping Tara hot, bothered . . . and in his bed. And when her ex wants Tara back, three is a crowd she can't control-especially when her deepest secret reappears out of the blue. Now Tara must confront her past and discover what she really wants. If she's lucky, she might just find that everything her heart desires is right here in Lucky Harbor.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

Humor, intrigue, and scintillating sex. Jill Shalvis is a total original -- Suzanne Forster, New York Times bestselling author Packed with the trademark Shalvis humor and intense intimacy, it is definitely a must-read ... If love, laughter and passion are the keys to any great romance, then this novel hits every note Romantic Times Heartwarming and sexy ... an abundance of chemistry, smoldering romance, and hilarious antics Publishers Weekly Anyone remember those funny, fluttering butterfly feelings you get when you're in love for the first time? [T]hat is what I felt while I was reading Animal Magnetism. If you love a true romance with amazing characters that leave you wanting more, go out and grab a copy of Animal Magnetism. It is so worth it! Joyfully Reviewed From beginning to end, Animal Magnetism is a captivating story that will have you laughing out loud, rooting for a happy ending for Lilah and Brady, and hoping that this won't be your last visit to Sunshine Romance Reviews Today [Shalvis] has quickly become one of my go-to authors of contemporary romance. Her writing is smart, fun, and sexy, and her books never fail to leave a smile on my face long after I've closed the last page ... Jill Shalvis is an author not to be missed! The Romance Dish What I love about Jill Shalvis's books is that she writes sexy, adorable heroes ... the sexual tension is out of this world. And of course, in true Shalvis fashion, she expertly mixes in humor that has you laughing out loud Heroes and Heartbreakers I loved the sexual tension, the great dialogue, and the well-developed characters. Any book by Jill Shalvis is guaranteed to be a hit! The Romance Studio Packed with the trademark Shalvis humor and intense intimacy, it is definitely a must-read ... If love, laughter and passion are the keys to any great romance, then this novel hits every note Romantic Times I always enjoy reading a Jill Shalvis book. She's a consistently elegant, bold, clever writer ... Very witty - I laughed out loud countless times and these scenes are sizzling All About Romance If you have not read a Jill Shalvis novel yet, then you really have not read a real romance yet either! Book Cove Reviews Heartwarming and sexy ... an abundance of chemistry, smoldering romance, and hilarious antics Publishers Weekly [Shalvis] has quickly become one of my go-to authors of contemporary romance. Her writing is smart, fun, and sexy, and her books never fail to leave a smile on my face long after I've closed the last page ... Jill Shalvis is an author not to be missed! The Romance Dish Engaging writing, characters that walk straight into your heart, touching, hilarious Library Journal Witty, fun, and sexy - the perfect romance! -- Lori Foster, New York Times bestselling author What I love about Jill Shalvis's books is that she writes sexy, adorable heroes ... the sexual tension is out of this world. And of course, in true Shalvis fashion, she expertly mixes in humor that has you laughing out loud Heroes and Heartbreakers Riveting suspense laced with humor and heart is her hallmark, and Jill Shalvis always delivers -- Donna Kauffman, USA Today bestselling author I always enjoy reading a Jill Shalvis book. She's a consistently elegant, bold, clever writer ... Very witty - I laughed out loud countless times and these scenes are sizzling Book Cove Reviews Engaging writing, characters that walk straight into your heart, touching, hilarious Library Journal Fast-paced and deliciously fun ... Jill Shalvis sweeps you away -- Fast-paced and deliciously fun ... Jill Shalvis sweeps you away Humor, intrigue, and scintillating sex. Jill Shalvis is a total original -- Suzanne Forster, New York Times bestselling author Witty, fun, and sexy - the perfect romance! -- Lori Foster, New York Times bestselling author Riveting suspense laced with humor and heart is her hallmark, and Jill Shalvis always delivers -- Donna Kauffman, USA Today bestselling author Jill Shalvis is such a talented author that she brings to life characters who make you laugh, cry, and are a joy to read Romance Reviews Today Anyone remember those funny, fluttering butterfly feelings you get when you're in love for the first time? [T]hat is what I felt while I was reading Animal Magnetism. If you love a true romance with amazing characters that leave you wanting more, go out and grab a copy of Animal Magnetism. It is so worth it! Joyfully Reviewed Fast-paced and deliciously fun ... Jill Shalvis sweeps you away -- Cherry Adair, New York Times bestselling author I always enjoy reading a Jill Shalvis book. She's a consistently elegant, bold, clever writer ... Very witty - I laughed out loud countless times and these scenes are sizzling All About Romance I loved the sexual tension, the great dialogue, and the well-developed characters. Any book by Jill Shalvis is guaranteed to be a hit! The Romance Studio

About the Author

New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis is the author of many romance novels including her acclaimed Lucky Harbor and Animal Magnetism series. The RITA winner and three-time National Readers Choice winner makes her home near Lake Tahoe. Visit her website at www.jillshalvis.com for a complete book list and daily blog, and www.facebook.com/jillshalvis for other news or follow her on Twitter @jillshalvis.

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I fell in love with this series from the first book Simply Irresistible (Jax and Maddie's story) where you were introduced to the three sisters. This second installment is about the "Steel Magnolia" Tara and Ford. Ford...*swoon* Jill Shalvis has such a flair to the creation of her male characters that the reader is swept up immediately and before they know it-they are in love-just like the heroines. Well Tara doesn't seem to agree since she fights her attraction to Ford tooth and nail.

I must admit I did not like Tara's character since book one. I like her a little better now that I had a chance to know her and understand why she is so cold. She is not the most giving or touchy feely person-so it is hard to like her (another testament to Jill Shalvis' writing skills). It was fun to see Ford make Tara become undone and seem human.

Tara and Ford have a past together that comes knocking and makes them both face some harsh realities. Then to add to the mix Tara's ex-husband comes after her to get her back. This is where the author adds in some small town humor and social media when the town rallies to post on Facebook who Tara will choose: Ford or ex-husband Logan. I personally was rooting for Ford all the way. I would have loved for the author to expound a bit more with the interaction between Tara and Logan. I also felt the book could have ended a bit sooner than it did. Once it became clear about the relationship between Tara and Ford/Tara and Logan the story became too long and I started disliking Tara again.

Tara-alone is not my favorite character. But Tara and Ford together are two thumbs up for me. I totally loved this book. If you have not started reading this series, you are truly missing out on a good series.

She may look like a Southern Belle who has it all together, but only Tara knows just how tightly she's wound inside. Being back in Lucky Harbor, the site of the most painful time in her life, has tied her up in knots since she showed up six months ago following the death of a mother she never really knew. Now Tara is working herself to the bone with her two half-sisters, one a veritable stranger and the other a wild child she's tried and failed to control, just trying to get their jointly-owned Inn up and running so she can wipe her hands of the place, the town, and the man who was once a boy who meant everything to her.

Ford has worked hard for the easy, uncomplicated life he leads. He owns a bar with his best friend, races his boat when he feels like it, and never wants for female companionship. Ever since Tara breezed back into town, though, and set about patently ignoring him and their painful past, Ford has been uncharacteristically unsettled and suddenly yearning for things that are completely foreign to him. He let her go seventeen years ago because they were just children when she got pregnant, and giving up their baby, giving him up and running away, had been what she needed to do. He was no good for her then. He isn't any better for her now.

But his mind and his heart disagree on that one. Vehemently.

Getting her back in his arms may not be the right thing, but for Ford, it's the only thing that matters, and when Tara's ex-husband shows up intent on reclaiming his wife, things in his noisy little town take a turn towards the absurd. Soon there are Facebook updates, Tweets, and pictures posted, and everyone in town is voting in a poll to see which man Tara chooses. He's betting on himself, but unless he's betting for forever, Ford could very well lose the only woman who ever mattered.

Almost as charming as its predecessor, Simply Irresistible, Shalvis has brought her readers back to the quirky seaside town of Lucky Harbor and reaquainted us with the three sisters who have come to put their mark on the place and make lives for themselves...even if it is against their initial intentions. In the first book, we got to see Maddie, also known as the mouse, find her roar, and in this one it's up to Steel Magnolia Tara to let go of some of her world-class control issues and embrace her vulnerabilities if she's going to find happiness and peace in her life.

I've got to hand it to Shalvis, she has a gift for creating contemporary romances that are light, flirty, and sassy, that have some humor and a dash of absurdity, that heat up the sheets and redden the cheeks...but that also touch upon serious and significant issues along the way. The emotional damage and detritus from teen pregnancy and ramifications of giving up a child for adoption were handled deftly and as realistically as could be given the tone of the book. Like with Maddie's past abusive relationship, the issue added depth and complexity to the plot and the definition of the main characters without dragging the book into maudlin territory.

I didn't feel Tara was as likable a character as Maddie, though. Normally I'm a huge supporter of the strong, intelligent female lead - which Tara was, but she also stomped over the line into hypocrisy a couple of times and that's a big turnoff for me. You don't get to be the one who tells the guy to get out after explaining why any sort of relationship won't work, then be disappointed when he leaves. You don't get to be the one who left and blame the guy for not chasing after you. That kind of stuff is just not cool for me. Snaps me out of the story like a slap upside the head every time.

She and Ford had great chemistry, though. Great chemistry. I liked Ford a lot, and he was satisfactorily burdened by his own commitment issues and too-laid-back lifestyle. That added depth to his character and kept him from being too perfect. And some of the most poignant, the most heart-clenching moments of the whole book were when he was interacting with Mia. For personal reasons, I'm a total sucker for those sorts of scenes.

I do wish there had been more time allotted to the sisters together. I would have given up a sex scene or two for that - there certainly were enough of them. There didn't seem to be as much of the sisters working together, being together, spending time with each other, as there was in the first book, and the absence, of Maddie in particular (though I sure don't begrudge her time with Jax), was keenly felt. I did, however, like the strengthening and evolving bonds between Tara and Chloe.

And about Chloe, who has fascinated me since her introduction... I'm dying to see Shalvis pit the Wild Child against the bulwark that is Sheriff Sawyer. There were several little gems of character evolution and burgeoning conflict between Chloe and Sawyer in this book and they offered some really great moments. I have great expectations for when they go toe-to-toe in their own book.

Though personally I slightly favor Simply Irresistible, I enjoyed the second chance romance of Tara and Ford in The Sweetest Thing. Shalvis remains a preferred author of mine, her books offering a wealth of entertainment. I've come to trust her for the sort of breezy, sexy, light contemporary romance - with a bit of bite - that I most prefer.

Tara comes to town with many secrets and too many memories of the past to be willing to stay. Her cooking skills help her to bring some semblance of normal to her life until the biggest secret of them all comes crashing into town.The thorn in her side, Ford, brings her to her knees when the past and present collide. Add in an ex-husband who can’t seem to get a clue to move on, and Tara can’t seem to keep the control she desperately clings to.The past was alluded to in the previous book in the series, and comes front and center in this installment. Tara and her older sister tendencies are relatable to this oldest sibling, but I found her to be little too over the top sometimes when it came to the drama. Ford is definitely believable, and very Alpha male. If one wants to see two alpha personalities hash it out, and come to terms with the past and move to a brighter future, then this book is definitely a must read.

the first past is where tara daniels and ford walker are a couple of 17 yo kids in love. she leaves unexpectedly and he lets her go. they both have unknown futures. she returns to lucky harbor washington after her mother dies and leaves her and her sisters, maddie and chloe, who are virtually strangers, an inn. they are 3 completely different personalities. they all had the same mother but tara and maddie were raised by their fathers and chloe was raised by their mother. what was suppose to be a trip home to get the inn in shape to sell turns into a different adventure.as the sisters get to know each other and try to stop the arguing, ford waits it out. 6 months later tara is still there and ford starts his campaign to get tara in his bed again. then their daughter mia, who, herself is now 17 yo, shows up. the reason tara left the first time and her first sight is of them kissing.

this is book is funny from the first page to the last. it is so enjoyable that i would recommend it to anyone but be cautious as the love scenes don't get too graphic, but the build up to them is amazing. the sexual tension knows no bounds. it kept me reading when i needed to sleep!!!